A reinforcement device reinforcing an upper includes: a rear first portion placed between a sole and a top line in a rear end portion of the upper; a rear second portion placed in a boundary portion between the upper and the sole in the rear end portion of the upper; a lateral first portion being continuous with the rear first portion and extending toward the sole on the lateral side; a medial first portion being continuous with the rear first portion and extending toward the sole on the medial side, the medial first portion being less flexurally deformable than the lateral first portion; and a medial second portion being continuous with the rear second portion and extending toward an anterior direction from the rear second portion along the medial side boundary portion so that the medial side boundary portion is less flexurally deformable than the lateral side boundary portion.

A shoe includes an outsole including a ground contact surface, a midsole fixed onto the outsole, and an upper portion joined to the midsole along a circumferential edge of the midsole. The midsole includes a bulging part at a position corresponding to a medial side of a rearfoot portion. The bulging part has a bulge length that is measured, in a top view, as a horizontal distance from a joint part between the upper portion and the midsole to an outer edge of the ground contact surface. The bulge length is longer than a horizontal length from the joint part between the upper portion and the midsole to an outer edge of the midsole at the rearmost end.

Footwear redesigned to include the midfoot lateral sole extension to eliminate the indention in a lateral midfoot portion of an existing design of a sole of the footwear and a revised design for an existing footwear sole that uses the midfoot lateral sole extension to eliminate the lateral midfoot indentation in the existing footwear sole. Also, a midfoot lateral sole extension for attachment to a footwear sole at an indention in a lateral midfoot portion of the footwear sole located between a lateral forefoot portion and a lateral heel portion of the footwear sole in order to fill the indentation. Also, disclosed is a method for improving lateral stability of an existing footwear sole having a lateral midfoot indentation by designing, fabricating and positioning the midfoot lateral sole extension on an existing footwear sole.

Footwear redesigned to include the midfoot lateral sole extension to eliminate the indention in a lateral midfoot portion of an existing design of a sole of the footwear and a revised design for an existing footwear sole that uses the midfoot lateral sole extension to eliminate the lateral midfoot indentation in the existing footwear sole. Also, a midfoot lateral sole extension for attachment to a footwear sole at an indention in a lateral midfoot portion of the footwear sole located between a lateral forefoot portion and a lateral heel portion of the footwear sole in order to fill the indentation. Also, disclosed is a method for improving lateral stability of an existing footwear sole having a lateral midfoot indentation by designing, fabricating and positioning the midfoot lateral sole extension on an existing footwear sole.

Describes are support elements for a sole of a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, a sole and a shoe with such a support element, as well as a method for the manufacture of a support element. As examples, the support element includes a first partial member formed of a first material, and a second partial member formed of a second material. The first partial member is mechanically joined to the second partial member in a connection region, wherein the connection region is configured to allow the first partial member to rotate or slide relative to the second partial member. The first partial member, the second partial member, and the connection region can be co-molded and joined together in a single fabricating step.

Describes are support elements for a sole of a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, a sole and a shoe with such a support element, as well as a method for the manufacture of a support element. As examples, the support element includes a first partial member formed of a first material, and a second partial member formed of a second material. The first partial member is mechanically joined to the second partial member in a connection region, wherein the connection region is configured to allow the first partial member to rotate or slide relative to the second partial member. The first partial member, the second partial member, and the connection region can be co-molded and joined together in a single fabricating step.

The invention relates to an insole for a footwear including a non-moldable base layer (310) having an arch supporting portion (312) adapted to support an arch of a foot; and a moldable layer (330) overlaying the non-moldable base layer (310), such that the moldable layer (330) is adapted to be molded to conform to the arch of the foot. The invention also relates to a footwear comprising the insole.

An article of footwear is provided and includes an upper and a sole secured to the upper and including a stabilizing member extending outwardly from the upper, where the stabilizing member includes a groove that separates the stabilizing member into a medial balancing member and a lateral balancing member so that the medial balancing member and the lateral balancing member move independently of each other to provide balance and stability on different terrains. The medial balancing member and a lateral balancing member also include a slot and a plate inserted into each slot.

An article of footwear is provided and includes an upper and a sole secured to the upper and including a stabilizing member extending outwardly from the upper, where the stabilizing member includes a groove that separates the stabilizing member into a medial balancing member and a lateral balancing member so that the medial balancing member and the lateral balancing member move independently of each other to provide balance and stability on different terrains. The medial balancing member and a lateral balancing member also include a slot and a plate inserted into each slot.

The present invention is for a footwear apparatus for improved gait biomechanics. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the footwear apparatus may comprise a heel cup that provides a valgus tilt to a user's foot and provides a deep heel cup to adequately support the user's heel. It may also be comprised of a medial arch support member and a forefoot lateral support member, wherein the heel cup, the medial arch, and the forefoot lateral support member stabilize the user's foot in a lateral direction to minimize pronation and heel inversion. In one example, the heel cup provides a valgus tilt of approximately 4 degrees to the user's rear foot, and the forefoot lateral support member provides a valgus tilt of approximately 2 degrees to the user's forefoot.